dbigtex56

That pretty much describes my ex. I dislike the use of nouns as verbs, e.g. "We'll workshop that," "Where do you office?," "Let me pause you a moment." Anyone who starts a sentence "Look..." (unless it's something like "Look out for that car!") deserves to be slapped. Might just as well say "Look, stupid..." People who misuse the word 'literally' make my head explode, figuratively speaking.

From the April 6 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning: IMUS: Want to take a moment to apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived remark we made the other morning referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team. It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended. Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, so, and we're sorry. MediaMatters Now, that's an apology, as opposed to a justification

It's for fun. Maybe. "Grindhouse," soaked in bloody nostalgia for the cheesy, disreputable pleasures of an older form of movie entertainment, can also be seen as a passionate protest against the present state of the entertainment industry. - A. O. Scott, New York Times movie review

How much of that wine have you polished off, Ricco? I'm referring to O' Reilly Vs. Rivera. You know, the topics of this thread.

Welcome to HAIF, houstondb2. Am I the only one who is ROFL at the name "Thai Sticks"? (Some younger members may not understand the reference.)

Looking back on when I Was a little nappy headed boy Then my only worry Was for Christmas what would be my toy - "I Wish", by Stevie Wonder Any plans to boycott his music?

Who do you agree with in this particular debate? hmm...the scumbag, or the slimeball? How about "neither"?

This is a case where legislators attempt to out-decent one another: "I say, let them not live within 500 feet of where children might gather!" "I'll see your 500 feet, and raise you a thousand." "I think you're bluffing...I raise to 2500 feet!" "Too rich for my blood - I fold." If one was to take a map and draw circles with radii representing 2500' from the edges of every park, school, playground, day care center, and who knows what all in just about any city, you'd be hard pressed to find much unencompassed space. And what does "other places where children might gather" mean? Children might gather if the ice cream man comes through, or to look at a dead dog in the street. Does that mean that someone living half a mile away has to move until the ice cream man leaves, or the dog is disposed of? Passing (and supporting) insane ordinances such as this make people feel that they have accomplished something worthwhile, and they get very angry when it's pointed out that it's insane. Despicable as sexual offenders may be, they should be given reasonable options to obey the law.

"You can trust your car to the male, female, transgendered or intersexed individual who wears the star," etc. It would be hell to come up with a tune to go with that.

Don't take a drive...take the train! But I agree - Main Street in Midtown is more of a void than ever. Development (or lack of it) in Houston puzzles me - in other cities, valuable land doesn't lay fallow for years and years. btw, New Orleans Po' Boys is no more - was demolished several weeks ago. Follow the link for speculation on that site.

I wonder if the plans would require the abandonment of Berry Street between Main and Travis, creating a sort of demi-Superblock. Since the street belongs to the city, would the developers have to pay for it? I seem to recall that Spec's had to pay the city a hefty sum to buy and abandon a block of Bremond Street so that they could expand their parking lot.

I do.

Very interesting question, and one with which people have struggled for years. I grew up in an area where 19th century houses were common. Obviously, to live in one slavishly restored to its original configurations would be hellish for most modern people. Kitchens were barely recognizable as such, and bathrooms were non-existent. Adding these features in a way which is sympathetic to the original structure is a challenge which is met with varying degrees of success. For someone to defend preserving a MCM's outdated wiring, plumbing, heating, A/C, asbestos, lead paint, etc. seems a bit wacky. Safety and efficiency can be incorporated without detracting from a house's integrity. Light fixtures and switches can be rewired, damaged wood can (usually) be replaced, double-paned glass is unobtrusive. I think most people understand that there have been advances in kitchens and baths in the past 50 years, and that some alterations may be required. The question to ask is "Would the original builder (or architect) have done this, if it had been available?" If the answer is no, look for another solution.

And, editor? Here's the bad news: he bills by the hour! (according to my calculations, that puts HAIF approximately $2mil in the Red...so to speak)

Buy some earplugs; the anti-rail, anti-METRO forces will be keening and wailing and shrieking and gnashing their teeth over this one. I'm cautiously optimistic; the fact that the developer has to start paying interest after 12 months and that the property is METRO's to sell after 18 should serve as an incentive to both the builder and the City of Houston. Maybe the loss of tax dollars (but promise of more to come) will spur them to action in granting variances. If there was ever a time for councilman Peter Brown to shine, this is it. A couple of nagging questions: does METRO have the authority to veto plans it deems unworthy? Will other significant properties on the Red Line (i.e., the Superblock) be eligible for the same sort of deal?

Per Hines website, One Shell Plaza was completed in 1971. The Public Works Building (formerly the Electric Tower), seen directly behind City Hall, was completed in 1968. The blue Ford in the lower right of the photo appears to be a '69 model.

I was of the impression that METRO funds have been used to build and maintain roads. Since these funds are collected by a general sales tax, those who are not road users are also paying for them.

Great shots! especially the lighthouse. Hope you enjoy your time Down East.

Theft deterrent? I imagine a big slab of bronze would probably be worth quite a lot.

Thanks for the link. That's a justification, not an apology. There's quite a difference between the two.

Are you sure you heard that right? Here's more of Mr. Berry's remarks:A Houston city council member said on his radio talk show that the U.S. should "stop the continuous apology for what was done to the American Indians" and drop federal programs and treaties that provide casino rights, educational support and welfare. Houston City Councilman Michael BerryMichael Berry, a Republican councilman in his third term and mayor pro tempore who hosts a morning show on KPRC, said on the air March 27 that he opposes such benefits for the same reason he opposes paying slavery reparations. "If you're against apologizing for slavery, then you gotta be against giving welfare to the American Indians because of the fact that 200 years ago they were whipped in a war. ... We conquered them. That's history. Hello!" (source: Watching the Watchers) "Whipped in a war..." "That's history. Hello!" Now, which war was that? The Big Ol' Indian War? Hello! (god, I hate when people say that!) I agree it takes guts to admit when you're wrong. That's why I'll be surprised if Mr. Berry apologizes. edit: But wait! There's more! from The San Diego Union-Tribune : Besides being an at-large councilman, Berry is Houston's mayor pro-tem, meaning that he fills in for certain duties when Mayor Bill White isn't available. Berry did not return messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press. The Michael Berry Show airs weekdays on KPRC 950-AM in Houston. A message left for station officials seeking comment also wasn't returned Wednesday. Berry made the remark while speaking out against a proposal in the Texas Legislature for the state to apologize for slavery. "If we're not going to apologize for slavery, then we need to stop the continuous apology for what was done to the American Indians,"

A matter of opinion. For rebuttals, see Big Head On Main Street.

Brace yourself, there's plenty more where that came from... Welcome to HAIF, and thanks for the updates on this project.

Please note: the above marks RedScare's 5000th POST! Congratulations, RedScare!